H. C. Muller, Far Rockaway, L.I.

The H stands for Henry C Muller.

The business of Henry C Muller was listed under bottlers of lager beer, Carlton Ave c. Guy, Far Rockaway in the 1899 and 1903 Trow Business Directory of the Borough of Queens. He was also listed in the New York State Liquor Tax Holder Directory for 1898. The business was not listed in the 1890 Lain’s Directory for Brooklyn (Far Rockaway). Based on this information, the business started sometime in the early to mid 1890’s.

According to the November 15, 1903 issue of American Carbonator and American Bottler: “HC Muller, Far Rockaway, NY, makes high grade beverages and has many customers.”

The October 15,1904 issue of American Carbonator and American Bottler reported that H.C. Muller reportedly sold his business to Henry Lutgens, however, a month later in the November 15th issue of the same magazine, there’s a letter to the editor stating that he’s out of business and that the magazine should be sent to James VanBrunt.

It should be noted that in subsequent years VanBrunt was listed as a bottler with the same address as Muller.

Carlton has been renamed Nameoke Avenue and Guy has been renamed Augustina Avenue. It’s possible that an old frame building on the northwest corner of Guy (now Augustina) once accommodated the business.

There’s an old one story bricked up building on the southwest corner of this intersection and a wood frame building on the northwest corner. Both could fit the time period.

The single bottle found is a champagne style with a tooled blob top. The slug plate refers to Far Rockaway Long Island. This would indicate it was made in 1898 (the year Far Rockaway became part of NYC) or earlier. This makes sense as Muller was in business prior to 1898.